This MUST SEE interactive science website features eight specific areas. The "News" section includes weekly news updates and features. "Wired" has challenging interactive games for grades 4-12. "Sci-Teach" provides countless resources for teachers of all grades. "Out There" takes you to the "back garden of science delights," including inventors, sound, vampires, and the flu. "Parents" has useful ideas - even science experiments for children's parties. "Under 11s" is geared for younger students, an excellent collection!. The activities teach traditional science topics using new multimedia. The "Next Steps" link challenges students to think about their future careers (both science and non-science). There are printable pages and interactive activities for elementary, middle, and high school students. The "Library" link features countless online science resources.

In the Classroom

Nearly all of the activities are ideal for interactive whiteboards (or projectors). This site is so rich it may be overwhelming. If you are an elementary teacher, start at the "Under 11s" link. Otherwise, visit the "Sci-Teach" link first for some excellent ideas, resources, and science fun. Preview this site before starting any science unit to find related activites and extensions.

This timely website is all about stem cells. PBS created this wonderful interactive website that includes a 14-minute video, slide show, printable pages, and a wealth of information. Specific topics vary from the cloning process to the politics of stem cells. This website analyzes how to find the balance between respecting life (human embryos) and the hope for finding cures for various diseases by using stem cells. The interactive pages and video require FLASH. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

In the Classroom

What a fabulous site to use for a class debate on stem cells. Share the video and research with your students. Then have your students participate in a class debate or compose a writing piece to share their views on the subject. There is a detailed lesson plan included (see the "Teacher's Guide" for more information).

Enter a search term or click the pulldown of science topics to see a graphical representation of how standards-based math and science concepts fit together and interrelate, then click on a single standards to find web resources and lesson plans specifically for that concept. Seeing the concepts organized in a hierarchy from K to grade 12 and "connected" to the precursors and following standards makes it much easier to see where your students have been and where they are headed in science before and after you teach them. The best part is that you can find exactly the resources you need to get them where they need to go.

In the Classroom

Mark this in your Favorites on TeachersFirst to access it every time you start a new science topic or unit. Consider sharing a simpler version of the same map, created in Inspiration or using an online tool such as Gliffy (our review here) or Mindomo (see review )to show your students how the content in your science classes fit with their prior knowledge and connect from unit to unit. About a month before the year ends, challenge them to work in small groups and create their OWN annotated concept maps of the "big ideas" studied during the school year.

This intriguing website gives students a front row seat to anatomy and physiology. The website provides 18 virtual autopsy cases. Each case includes a presentation about the case, history of the patient, and results of examinations performed on the patient. The cases each offer students an interactive human body. Students can click on various body parts to learn more about the health of each of the systems of the body (central nervous system, respiratory system, endocrine system, gastrointestinal track, cardiovascular system, reticulo-endothelial system, genito-urinary system, musculoskeletal system, and general external appearance). Once students have investigated the case, they are asked to identify the cause of death (the website provides 5+ possibilities for each case). If the students guess the cause of death incorrectly, they receive clues.

In the Classroom

What an excellent way to excite your students about learning the science of anatomy and physiology! Get out your interactive whiteboards to share a case as you talk about the process of inquiry. Or have cooperative learning groups explore different investigations. Use teacher discretion as to whether your students can maturely handle illustrations of the human body.
Be sure to read the "How to Use This Website" link for additional ideas.

Whether you teach insect basics or the details of biodiversity, this wonderful reference site provides a valuable online guide to insects, spiders, and other bugs. It was started as "labor of love" site by a "bug enthusiast," but has earned enough respect for Iowa State University to host the site. This guide is extremely informative, but don't expect animation and other "bells and whistles". The photographs are up close, the information is detailed, and the guide is very extensive. The guide includes information about classifications, names, habitats, pronunciations, sizes, life cycles, foods, Internet references, and more. "Bug" enthusiasts contribute photos and help identify unknown creatures!

In the Classroom

What a fabulous tool to use for online research about bugs. Students will love the close-up graphics. You may use images from the site that state: "Students are permitted to use images for school projects. Educators are permitted to use images for presentations given to their students." Simply click the photographer's name under a photo to read the terms that photographer specifies. The main contributor,Troy Bartlett, includes this permission. Note that such permission does NOT mean that you can use the photos on web sites or in publications.
Ask your students to create a digital "bug collection" or collect bugs to show concepts such as adaptations in a PowerPoint or poster. If you have a good digital camera, contribute some class photos to the projects, too! You could even make your own "bug guide" on a wiki.

Are you "fishing" for a new way to teach your students about the ocean? This website offers a collections of ocean activities for students in grades 2-5 (approximately). There are many printable PDF files. Topics include marine trivia, crabs, salmon life cycle, marine mammals, how and why we age fish, and numerous other resources. There is basic trivia, mazes, puzzles, and other mind stretching activities (all related to the ocean).

In the Classroom

This resource is an excellent tool for a class learning about oceans. Why not print off hard copies of the PDF files for your students, or use a projector or interactive whiteboard to share the PDF activities.

What a fascinating website! Now you can teach scientific inquiry, biology, and chemistry with a CSI twist. Did you know that bugs and other small creatures are now being used to help forensic scientists solve murders and other mysteries? This website takes you behind the scenes to see exactly how biologists from around the world are using maggots, ants, and other animals to solve various crimes. These creatures help scientists to determine the time of death, track a killer's path, and even zero in on a specific suspect. Features of this website include a wonderfully-done interactive (determining the time of death), video clips, interviews with real scientists in the field, and much more. The interactive pages and video clips require FLASH. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

In the Classroom

Don't miss the AWESOME interactive activity (Determine the Time of Death). This educational activity is sure to grab the attention of your students, as they examine a crime scene and try to determine the time of death by using various bugs and other small creatures. Get your interactive whiteboard ready, and be prepared for an exciting class period. Stop to talk about inquiry process, dependent and independent variables, hypothesis, conclusions, and more, using this engaging interactive.

Did you ever worry when you couldn't find your car keys or your textbook? This website focuses on memory, mental capacity, the mind, Alzheimer's, and how to improve your memory. There is a unique interactive drawing activity (based on memory) that requires ShockWave. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

In the Classroom

Get an interactive whiteboard (or projector) ready for the unique drawing activity. The activity could be used as an anticipatory set for a science class on memory, the brain, Alzheimer's or other mental capacity topics.

Are you looking for a unique way to grab the attention of your teenage students? This interesting website explores the connection between hair and science. Correlations are made between bad hair days and the weather. Three of the "hands on" activities include building a hair hygrometer, the healthy hair test, and creating curls. Some of the articles feature interactive elements that require FLASH. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

In the Classroom

Although this website doesn't have many "bells and whistles" (it dates back to 1998), the content could be very interesting in a chemistry or other secondary science class. This website takes a "teenage friendly" topic and brings it into the science classroom. There are many higher-level science topics within the text of this website. Invite students to try the experiments and even to use technology to create more up-to-date illustrations of the concepts for a health or science fair display.

Meet Lia and learn about women scientists. Anyone, especially middle school aged girls, is encouraged to become a scientist as Lia celebrates the lives and contributions of 10 female scientists. You will find hands-on, "sharable" science activities and games that make science fun. Book suggestions and amazing links associated with the women scientists' fields complete the offerings of this site designed to dispel the myth that girls can't do science.

In the Classroom

The topics range from robots to subatomic particles, from biology to astronomy to social science. Use this site as a jumping off point to for scientist biographies and study of science careers in a variety of areas. Many of the links make excellent curriculum resources, as well. Be sure to make this site available from your teacher web page and encourage students to try some of the hands-on activities at home. Most are designed to be "social events" where students can invite friends to join in. Mention this to parents, as well, so they can encourage their young scientists with science parties!

In the Classroom

The articles each contain some unique "hands-on" experiments to provide real-world connections for curriculum concepts. Many of the activities would create a great anticipatory set for a new lesson on body systems, health, perception, technology, the brain, biochemistry, and more. Some of the articles have a "print this article" option, for those teachers wanting to provide their students with a hard copy of the article.

Funology.com provides a laboratory filled with experiments from physics, chemistry, biology and weather. The experiments are user-friendly and require only materials that are readily available at school or at home. They can be completed by the teacher or the students. Be sure to check out the on-line habitat and endangered species map.

In the Classroom

This site would be a great enrichment piece for science units, hands-on learning, or even in-door recess. Use them as hands-on morning assignments or problem(s) of the day and have students journal the hypothesis, outcome and rationale to practice writing. If you have a class wiki, consider adding a "Not-so-Mad Scientist" page for students to record their results from home or school. Share the link on your teacher web page and give extra credit for at-home reporting.

This site provides beautiful photographs of birds from around the world and displays the locations of many on a map in the sidebar. The birds are categorized alphabetically according to country. If you find yourself viewing information in French, click the small British flag at the top of the page to see it in English.

In the Classroom

Use a projector or whiteboard to share several images as you start a lesson on biodiversity or adaptation. The maps will allow you to discuss climate and habitat in conjunction with the image of the bird. Students can also research or submit bird images using this site. If your biology class wants a project, mapping and photographing local birds would be an excellent contribution to this site.

This site offers up-to-date news on conservation issues and incidents in Africa. Organized by reporters in the different regions of this large continent, the site gives users the option of selecting news, videos, or blogs with videos to keep themselves informed on the very latest events impacting animals, both good and bad. The fastest way to find the animal information is to click on "Find Blogs about Hippos, Gorillas, Colobus monkey, Rhinos, amd other Endangered Animals"

In the Classroom

Once you become familiar with specific naturalist bloggers on this site, you may want to revisit their posts throughout your unit on animals, biodiversity, or the environment. These real world connections would be good lesson starters. Teachers may also use this site when studying world cultures and geography of Africa. Elementary teachers will want to share selected portions of this site on an interactive whiteboard or projector as they teach about animal habitats and adaptations. Since some of the incidents that threaten the animals may be involve violence or be frightening to students, teachers should preview before sharing with younger students. The reading levels are adult, so this is not a good site to suggest for elementary students to use independently.

This thought provoking website offers a unique interactive game and lesson plans for differing levels. The interactive game challenges students to manipulate a system made of gears, ramps, and switches. The challenge is to guide marbles correctly through a system (maze), and have the marbles make it safely to the bottom holder. Students are able to cut out pieces of the maze by clicking on the piece they wish to delete. To start the interactive game, you must click on the link directly under the title of the website. Some of the activities at this site require Flash, get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.. The lesson plan topics include simple machines, systems of the human body, engineering solutions, cells, and Leonardo's machines. General standards are included in the lesson plans.

In the Classroom

This website has numerous uses in the classroom. The lesson plans are ready to go. If you use the interactive in class, on individual computers or an interactive whiteboard, be sure to make the link available outisde of class from your teacher web page so students can "play" with it. They will enjoy experimenting with it on their own.

This is a fabulous site on homeostasis. This website provides an interactive presentation. The website focuses on body temperature, water balance, blood sugar levels, and blood pH. Students will love the interactive challenges that are included at this website. This site requires Flash. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

In the Classroom

This site is ideal for an interactive whiteboard. Use this website to introduce students to the various processes involved in homeostasis. Be sure to click on the "play" button on some of the pages. By clicking on the "play" button, students will see a more interactive and descriptive explanation about the science concepts.

ARKive provides a well-organized opportunity for students to research various species of animals. The site is broken into two components: the Globally Endangered Chapter and the British Chapter. The site offers an alphabetized listing of animals along with detailed information, beautiful photographs, and vivid videos for each animal. Be sure to point out the Glossary located at the end of each animal section. This will help students with some of the more difficult vocabulary. Also make sure to note that the British Chapter is focused on animals found in Britain. TeachersFirst review team members found that the site servers are SLOW to open and reload pages, even on a fast connection. Be patient. It is worth it.

In the Classroom

Use this site as the starting point for individual or group projects. The site grants permission for educational download and use of the images (NOT on a web page), provided you include the copyright information with each image. Have students create sets of images to illustrate a report or make graphic organizers illustrating families of animals from your area and their classifications into kingdom, phylum, etc. Be letting students choose their own animals and examples, the task will have more meaning to them. Individuals can set up memberships (click My ARKive) to make "scrapbooks" of images and information. Membership requires a valid email address (info on your registration is sent there), so a whole-class or teacher account may be the easiest way to use it.

This site provides a good introduction to science fairs to help teachers, students and parents. There are separate sections of information on getting started, choosing a topic, completing the project, displaying the project and the Scientific Method. The section and links on Scientific Method are quite useful, even if your school does not do a science fair.

In the Classroom

As you study scientific method, use the science fair examples as exercises for students to identify independent and dependent variables for the various projects. Give students the links to "find" experiments and analyze them with a partner or do this analysis as a class, sharing the project ideas on a projector or interactive whiteboard. The whiteboard tools would allow you to color code and highlight the various steps of scientific method consistently to help learning support students.

Include this site on your teacher web page for students and parents to access as a reference. Consider directing students and parents to particular links within this site that apply to the science fair students are participating in.

This site has a drag and drop activity to identify some of the main bones of the human skeleton. Additional information about the bone is displayed when the bone is correctly identified. This site requires Flash. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

In the Classroom

Make a shortcut on a classroom computer or include this site on your teacher web page for students to use for review before a test or quiz. You will need headphones or speakers for the audio portions of this site (not requiresd, but motivating). Use this site and other skeleton interactives as a small group review on an interactive whiteboard while other students review using a different computer or manipulatives.

The site includes Interactive sections for students to see and learn about life cycles, food chains and classification. Find more information about creatures that live in ponds in the Pond Library. This site is British, so plan on discussing any terms students may be unfamiliar with prior to using the site. This site requires Flash and Windows Media Player. Get them from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

In the Classroom

Use this site on a projector to discuss and informally assess prior knowledge as you start your study of food chains or pond life. Or make the three "tasks" an informal practice activity for students to complete on a classroom computer cluster with a partner.